The grass isn't always greener: research will help find the best landscaper

Jun. 29, 2012

Written by

Lauren B. Schiffman

For The Journal News

Red flags

According to the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection website, there are certain “red flags” to watch for when researching any type of contractor. For example, do not hire a landscaper who does not provide a contract in writing. For one, the law requires a written contract for any project that costs more than $500, and it’s generally a good idea to have all contracts in writing in case problems arise after the start of the project. Another red flag: if an estimate sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For a complete list of these red flags, and to review other helpful hints about choosing a contractor, visit the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection website at http://www.westchestergov.com/pdfs/CON_HomeImprovementTips2-10.pdf.

Bad Guys Vs. Good Guys

Go to lohud.com/livinghere and find out how to check if your landscaper has a good record of customer satisfaction, or if complaints have been lodged against the company.

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You probably don’t want to spend your weekends mowing your lawn or pulling out weeds — it can be tedious, time consuming, and not to mention, potentially injurious. You can find a guy with a mower for $30 in the local yellow pages while others reach into the thousands for season-long care. How do you choose a reliable, reputable landscaper?

First of all, what are your expectations — and the size of your yard? If you’re mainly looking for a one-time clean-up and basic mowing of a small parcel, chances are you can find an inexpensive solution. Homeowners with more complicated acreage looking for weekly maintenance may be in need of more comprehensive care.

Job one is to work with a landscaper who is licensed by the Department of Consumer Protection; it’s required by law.

John P. Gaccione, acting director of Consumer Protection, director of Weights and Measures for Westchester County, says that landscapers must provide proof of insurances: worker’s compensation in case one of the company’s employees is injured on the job; and liability insurance in case property damage occurs.

“The landscaper must certify that he or she has reviewed information on ‘safe practices’ with respect to the use of fertilizer,” says Gaccione. Lastly, the company must undergo an extensive background check on its principals and itself prior to receiving a license.

Gaccione also advises consumers to “check with the Department of Consumer Protection before hiring a landscaper to verify that a company is licensed and to check for a record of consumer complaints.”

David Duarte, the president/owner of Five Brothers Enterprises Inc. in Yonkers, says that if consumers are tempted to skip all of the research and hire a landscaper on a whim, they should at least check with the Better Business Bureau for the landscaper’s rating. “If a company is registered legally as a business, it will have a BBB rating. If the BBB rating is low,” Duarte says, stay away from that particular company.

Duarte added that most homeowners are looking for a contractor who will work with them and make them part of the process.

Costs: Duarte says costs depend on the size of the property, the scope of the job and whether the materials and fertilizers he uses are organic. He advises potential clients that “cheaper doesn’t always mean better.”

Duarte — like all landscapers should — provides estimates, at no charge, prior to starting a job. Some of the services Duarte provides include landscaping (grass cutting and hedge trimming), masonry and leaf mulching. For more information on Duarte and Five Brothers Enterprises Inc., visit www. fivebrothersenterprisesinc.com.